NET METERING: Most Efficient Solar Panels

Free Solar!

Net metering and MicroFit.

Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlig

The benefits of solar electricity

Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.

Get paid for the electricity you generate: the government’s Feed-In Tariffs pay you for the electricity you generate.

Sell electricity back to the grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can't use it, you can sell the surplus back to the grid.

Customers have a number of options to choose from for selling electricity to the grid depending on the size of their facility.

Net metering

Ontario government introduced net metering regulation in 2005 that allows homeowners to send electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar energy, to the province’s grid for a credit towards their hydro costs. The more electricity your system produces the more savings you receive!

With net metering your hydro bill will show the difference between the amounts of energy your solar PV system exported versus the amount of energy your household consumed. All of the regulated charges such as delivery charge, regulatory charge and debt-retirement charge apply only to your net consumption. Ontario’s net metering regulation allows you to send electricity generated from renewable sources to the electrical grid for a credit toward your energy costs.

What is in it for you?

Your utility will subtract the value of electricity you supply to the grid from the value of what you take from the grid. What you’ll see on your bill is the “net” difference between those two amounts. Net metering means you no longer need to purchase expensive batteries or a backup generator – or factor those costs into the price of installing a renewable energy generation system

MicroFIT

The microFIT Program was launched in 2009 as part of the Ontario government’s efforts to increase renewable energy in the province. The program provides homeowners and other eligible participants with the opportunity to develop a small or “micro” renewable electricity generation project (10 kilowatts (kW) or less in size) on their property. The MicroFIT Program is a streamlined program for small renewable energy projects under the umbrella of the

Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program. The FIT Program is designed for projects generating over 10 kW of electricity.

What is in it for you?

Under the microFIT Program, you will be paid a guaranteed fixed price over a 20-year term for all the electricity you produce and deliver to the province’s electricity grid. Get paid for the power you produce, with prices that are designed to cover the costs of a typical project and allow you to earn a reasonable rate of return on your investment over the term of the contract.

It is a matter of personal preference when deciding which program is more suitable for you and your household, but whatever incentive you choose, you are contributing to a healthier environment by generating electricity from renewable sources and being part of the largest climate change initiative in North America.